Team

Last week, FIFA inspectors completed their visit to Qatar, the final stop on a globe-spanning tour of the nine bidders vying to host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The Middle East nation's chances took a hit when Harold Mayne-Nicholls, head of the inspection team, said the bid presented "a number of logistical challenges," but a surprise appearance by Zinedine Zidane impressed FIFA. The French legend passionately argued that it was time for a nation in the region to host the World Cup.

Despite a hairy 1-1 draw at home against Colorado, Real Salt Lake is atop the Power Rankings again this week, with streaking FC Dallas following close behind. The Red Bulls, meanwhile, jump over LA with a win on the left coast, and San Jose make their move up to No. 6.

When the United States take on Poland on Oct. 9 and Colombia on Oct. 12, it will mark the genuine beginning of Bob Bradley's second tenure as the US national team's head coach.

The European leagues will be on a break, meaning he can call on his regulars across the Pond – although expect elder statesmen Carlos Bocanegra, Clint Dempsey and Steve Cherundolo to stay with their clubs. Also, even though it's not quite time for Conor Doyle or Mikkel Diskerud to make their senior debut, some new faces will join the proceedings.

Another game has gone by at Rio Tinto and Real Salt Lake are still unbeaten at home. But this game was special – by extending the streak in Sandy, Utah, RSL have officially clinched a playoff berth.

Real Salt Lake have 48 points, a total that only ninth-place Kansas City Wizards can match. RSL have the head-to-head tiebreaker clinched over the Wizards, though, with a 1-0-1 record. The reigning champs will now officially begin their title defense, joining the LA Galaxy in the playoffs.

Welcome to the first installment of the Monday Postmortem, a new feature here on MLSsoccer.com in which we break down the most recent week of action as the push for the playoffs heats up.

As potential weeks to launch a column go, this one could hardly have been better: There was a hat trick in Toronto (though not by a Red), one of the most hotly anticipated games in league history in LA, a pair of record unbeaten streaks extended, and, of course, the unruly playoff picture.